Education

Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst M.S. University of Calgary B.S. University of Calgary

Current Research and Teaching

My research takes a broadly integrative approach to studying the evolution and diversification of functional morphological systems. I am particularly interested in how phenotype and function interact. A central research focus is the evolution of body shape—the relative proportions of the head, body, limbs and tail. Species differ tremendously in body shape, and this influences their locomotion and habitat use. These phenotype-function relationships influence species richness, morphological disparity, and functional diversity of different taxa. A second, related research focus is how the evolution vertebral numbers and proportions evolve to modify body shape and function. Among vertebrates, the evolution of segmentation is a dominant force in body shape evolution.

My work has primarily focused on lizards as a model system because of their great taxonomic and morphological diversity, but I have also used other organisms, including rats, where appropriate. I am intersted in expanding my research to include salamanders, which are very diverse in New England. In conducting my research, I integrate DNA sequence, morphological, morphometric, locomotor, and ecological data with an explicitly statistical approach. An important tool in my research is the use of statistics, often including phylogenetically-informed analyses. Museum specimens feature prominently in my morphological and morphometric data sets, allowing for maximal taxon sampling. Field data are also an important component of my research. I capture specimens in nature and conduct locomotor performance and kinematics trials using high-speed video in the field.

I will be teaching Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy (BIOL112), starting with the Spring 2011 semester. This course will introduce students to the antomy of vertebrates, including humans. Students will learn about the various organ systems and how they have evolved through interactive lectures and hands-on laboratory dissection. During Fall 2011 I will be teaching a course in Herpetology, which will have an organismal focus and cover many aspects of the diversity and evolution of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Bergmann PJ, and Russell AP. 2007. Systematics and biogeography of the widespread Neotropical gekkonid genus Thecadactylus (Squamata), with the description of a new cryptic species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 149: 339-370.